Elpidia Valdez was the mother of Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte, who is recently making headlines after a fan insulted his late mom mid-game, find out more about her below
The Arizona Diamondbacks star faced the emotionally charged moment during a game against the Chicago White Sox.
Who was Elpidia Valdez, mom of Ketel Marte who died in car accident, cause of death reason, bio, age, husband and children
Here’s the initial explanation from @Dbacks Manager Torey Lovullo re the incident in Chicago where a @whitesox fan verbally abused Ketel Marte. pic.twitter.com/UZnwssmxfz
— Todd Walsh (@ToddWalsh) June 25, 2025
Following the insult, the 31-year-old second baseman was visibly shaken, and officials immediately ejected the fan.
The 22-year-old fan, who has not been named, has been banned indefinitely from all ballparks in Major League Baseball after Ketel Marte was left in tears after a fan shouted something regarding his late mother that passed away in a car accident in 2017 when Ketel was just aged 23.
Ketel had unloaded his emotions in a 2017 Instagram post, sharing a photo of his mom, Elpidia Valdez after her demise.
“Because you went sweet love,” the post read.
“I love you my love because you left me alone and not enjoy with me. Come back mommy please.”
At the time of the car accident that killed his mother, the Diamondbacks put Marte on the bereavement list, and he returned to the Dominican Republic and when his mom died, he was hitting .242 (15-for-62) with 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 10 RBIs and an .814 OPS in 25 games in his first season with the D-backs in 2017.
Diamondbacks fan insults Ketel Marte’s deceased mother
During Tuesday night’s MLB game at Guaranteed Rate Field, a 22-year-old fan shouted a cruel comment about Ketel Marte’s late mother. The insult seemingly struck Marte hard as he lowered his head and fought back tears while stepping up to bat. Following the incident, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo later revealed:
I looked right at him when I heard it. I could tell it hit him hard.”
En medio de la temporada de 2017, Ketel Marte sufrió la pérdida de su madre, Elpidia Valdez, un golpe devastador que lo hizo dudar de seguir jugando. Sin embargo, la fuerza de su madre lo impulsó a continuar su camino hacia el estrellato.
RIP Elpidia Valdez 👼 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/90mlgwHmvD
— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) January 4, 2025
The fan later admitted to making the comment before being promptly ejected by officials. MLB later issued an indefinite ban on the fan, ensuring that the individual would never get to attend any future games. Lovullo even consoled Marte during a pitching change and told him:
I love you and I’m with you. You’re not alone. That guy’s an idiot and shouldn’t affect you.”
Despite the emotional blow, Marte showed resilience and went 2-for-4 in the game, including a solo home run. His performance helped the Diamondbacks secure an important 4–1 victory.
Elpidia Valdez biography and age
Elpidia Valdez was a Dominican Republic national and the mother of MLB star Ketel Marte and while her DOB isn’t known, she likely died between the age of 40-50 years. She was a deeply important figure in his life, and she was born and raised in Nizao, a small town in the Dominican Republic. Elpidia supported her son’s baseball dreams from the very beginning and remained a source of strength and encouragement for Marte. Ketel’s father’s name isn’t known though.
Ketel Marte brought to tears in the 7th after a fan yelled something at him about his late mother. Marte's mow, Elpidia Valdez, was tragically killed in a car accident in 2017. An emotional Torey Lovullo defending Marte after the game. #Dbacks @12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/wJ7YF7WHtt
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) June 25, 2025
Elpidia Valdez cause of death
Elpidia Valdez tragically died on July 30, 2017, in a car accident in Nizao, Dominican Republic. The accident reportedly occurred just shortly after a phone call with her son. Her sudden death deeply affected Marte, and he had to temporarily return home and grieve with his family.
Elpidia Valdez marriage and children
Elpidia Valdez was married and has a child, Ketel Marte, who is now one of the MLB’s standout players. Valdez raised her family in the Dominican Republic, and she was renowned for being a very caring mother who was devoted to her children’s well-being. In particular, she shared a strong bond with Ketel and played a strong influence in shaping his life and career.